Muskegbukta (45178)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Muskegbukta
Central coordinates: Latitude: -70.0013, Longitude: -1.4202
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 4.30695
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Muskegbukta is a small bay situated to the west of the Fimbul Ice Shelf, Princess Martha Coast, Dronning Maud Land. An Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony breeds on fast ice that forms in cracks along the western coast of the Fimbul Ice Shelf. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Emperor Penguin colony present and is entirely marine. There are no research stations in the near vicinity. The closest permanent station is Sanae IV (ZAF) situated ~190 km to the southwest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Analysis of a satellite image acquired 28 Oct 2009 (Fretwell et al. 2012) indicated that approximately 3193 Emperor Penguins were present at the colony. Fretwell et al. (2012) referred to this colony as ‘Sanae' in reference to the nearest research station. No other birds are known to breed in the area. Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Fretwell, P.T., LaRue, M.A., Morin P., Kooyman, G.L., Wienecke, B., Ratcliffe, N., Fox, A.J., Fleming, A.H., Porter, C. & Trathan, P.N. 2012. An Emperor Penguin population estimate: The first global, synoptic survey of a species from space. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33751. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033751